IceCaps Look to Take 3-1 Lead Over Penguins

IceCaps Look to Take 3-1 Lead Over PenguinsAfter disposing of the Penguins 5-0 in Game 3 Wednesday, the IceCaps look to take a stranglehold of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Finals with a victory in Game 4 Thursday night.

NOTES FROM LAST GAME: Not dressed for the IceCaps: Kris Fredheim, Jerome Samson, Ryan Olsen, Cody Lampl, Julian Melchiori, Ryan Schnell, Brandon MacLean, Austen Brassard, Eddie Pasquale, Jussi Olkinuora… The IceCaps have scored first in 11-of-13 games this postseason, winning nine… St. John’s has scored five goals in a game in four of their last seven contests… The IceCaps busted out of a slump with the man advantage, scoring their first power play tallies of the series (2-for-5). The penalty killing unit was a perfect 6-for-6 and now stands at 14-for-14 overall in the series… Kyle MacKinnon failed to extend his point streak to five games… Molson Canadian Three Stars: 1. Michael Hutchinson 2. Andrew Gordon 3. Eric O’Dell… Mary Brown’s Hardest Working Player: Patrice Cormier.

FIRST GOAL WINS: With the opening goal to their credit in both Game 2 and Game 3, the IceCaps have now scored first in 11-of-13 postseason contests, winning nine. The Penguins have won six-of-seven when getting on the board first.

CREAM OF THE CROP: The IceCaps have to be pleased with the heavy lifting done by the team’s offensive leaders. Of the 38 goals the IceCaps have scored over their 13 postseason games to date, Andrew Gordon (8) and Eric O’Dell (8) account for 16 of them. O’Dell notched an unassisted tally in Game 3 while Gordon racked up three assists and leads the club with 13 points while sitting fourth in the AHL in scoring.

GOALIE LEADER: IceCaps goaltender Michael Hutchinson continues to lead all active goaltenders in several stat categories, including GAA (1.68), wins (9), saves (378) and SV% (.945), while sitting tied for first in shutouts (2) with Toronto’s Drew MacIntyre. Hutchinson has allowed just one goal in his last 145:24 played.